Growing Wild in the Shade

A Mags Munroe Story, Book 2

By: Jean Grainger

Narrated by: Siobhan Waring

If you want to disappear, start again, make a new life, a small Irish village is probably not the wisest place to go, since anonymity is not something we do well here. The arrival of someone new is always a cause for twitching curtains and whispered conversations. But here, like everywhere, people have their secrets, and as the local sergeant I’m expected to have my eyes peeled for anything unusual. And I do. Usually. Until I don’t, and the consequences are potentially fatal.

©2022 Jean Grainger (P)2023 Gold Harp Media

A great listen

I love Jean Grainger’s books - especially in audiobooks. Listening to the Irish reader adds charm to her stories. Anxious to read more Mags Monroe stories!

Charming but more of a homey tale of anecdotes than anything…

Mags is a lovable figure & her love for her family, the town’s inhabitants & job is the driving force. Is it fabulous literature? No, but it is a lovely homey way to take the reader away for a charming visit to Ireland.

Good, but heavy on the sap

In this second installment, there is less of the histrionic worrying that was found in the first book (thanks to HRT) but this is replaced with even more saccharine sweetness that I found to be annoying. The author tries way too hard to make the protagonist seem the most politically correct, tolerant, moralistic law enforcement officer imaginable, in a setting ripe with bigotry, racism, and homophobia. It was too much! Along with her picture perfect husband and family life, I kept thinking of the barf emoji as I listened... I'm surprised there wasn't a reference to saving the whales or ending world hunger woven into the story! The feel-good aspect of this story was just a bit over the top for me, though I can imagine fans of the cozy genre really enjoying this one. One minor flaw - the situation with the American politician coming to town was not resolved, leaving me to wonder what actually happened. This is a cotton-candy sweet story that will leave your teeth hurting, in a mostly good way! Excellent narration.

Delightful

I enjoyed the day to day normal life with a little twist and lots of love.

Love Mags

I really like this character and all the other ones as well. The story is fun and thoughtful. I’ve enjoyed both books so much.

Love the narrator

I love the narrator in Jane Grangers books. She makes the story very personal and believable.

Another great book by Jean Granger

In the last few years, Jean Granger has become my absolute favorite author. The mags Monroe series is excellent and my only regret is that book 3 is not yet an audible form. I have a vision problem and must use audible books rather than regular books, so please get books free into Audible form ASAP!

The struggle for respect and dignity.

I liked the characters and the simplicity of the story line. The developement of the characters has, so far, unfolded nicely.

A lovely escape

Love Mags Monroe and the characters that live in her village. The narrator has a lovely voice and accent that brings Mags to life.

Another captivating story

The story was wonderful and as usual, the performance by Siobhan Waring was spectacular. The accents and voices bring the story to life. Ms Waring has a true gift.
Once again, Ms Grainger has opened the door to a rabbit hole of investigation. I really did not know very much about the Irish Travelers (I had never heard the term). I followed up by researching on the Internet. So thank you, Jean, for once again broadening my education through your engaging fiction. I am totally hooked on the novels by Jean Grainger and can’t wait to get started on the next.